Leading Virtual Teams (HBR 20-Minute Manager Series)

Manage the Technology

Technology makes it possible for your team to communicate, coordinate, and build successful working relationships. If you’re not a technologist, it’s tempting to give this work short shrift: “I’m in advertising, not IT!” But on a virtual team, you are IT. In fact, you’re the department head. If you work for a small company, no one else is going to solve your connectivity problems or set up your file-sharing software—and you have to be prepared to help your team members do these things, too. If you’re part of a larger organization with more technology resources, you’ll still play an important role as your people’s chief advocate, lobbying IT for support and projects. Establishing the right environment at the beginning of ...